Cal State San Marcos Extended Studies Awarded $100,000 Grant to Establish Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Business Editors

SAN MARCOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 13, 2004

California State University San Marcos Office of Extended Studies has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation to establish the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. The program will be conducted in partnership with the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (CCAE).

The institute will provide mature learners (50 years and older) with an intellectually challenging program of non-credit courses taught by Cal State San Marcos professors and other content experts from the North County region. The program recognizes that an active mind fosters a general sense of well-being and challenges learners to stay intellectually alive and socially aware.

The Osher Foundation supports the creation of new programs in lifelong learning at institutions of higher education across the country. Unlike most Osher programs, which are generally held on a university campus, the Cal State San Marcos Institute will draw from the many instructional resources of the university but will be physically housed at the CCAE in neighboring Escondido. The CCAE works year-round in partnership with various colleges and entities of Cal State San Marcos to develop and sponsor a variety of educational programs and cultural events. Expanding this partnership to include the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will provide institute participants with a wide range of added instructional and event-related resources.

"We are extremely grateful to the Bernard Osher Foundation for the funding to launch this much-needed institute," said Extended Studies Dean Robert Stakes. "San Diego's North County has a growing population of educated, active, older adults, and as the region continues to attract thousands of retirees, a structured learning-in-retirement program will be essential in keeping these individuals intellectually challenged and stimulated."

"Together, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido and the Cal State San Marcos Office of Extended Studies have the experience, facilities, infrastructure and commitment to build a program that will help change and better the lives of thousands of individuals, as well as the life of the greater community in San Diego's North County," said Vicky Basehore, president and COO of the center.

The institute is a "requirement free" environment that does not involve examinations or grades, and will be open to all interested older adults regardless of previous educational achievements.

The program will be launched in September 2004. North County residents can expect more detailed information to be released in late spring or early summer 2004.

For more information about membership or enrollment, contact the Cal State San Marcos Office of Extended Studies at 760-750-4020 or visit the Web site at www.csusm-es.org/.